Amber M.

An Aquarium

As my fish eyes landon one of those fleshy, noisy creatures known as humans, I feel vibrations in the water. Are they tapping on my glass!?

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Unexpected Moving

​Bright lights dance across my eyelids. As I allow my eyes to open, I see…sunshine. And then I remember, it’s Saturday! I perform my morning ritual, known to some as checking my inbox. Nothing. I haven’t yet received the email I have been expecting for weeks. For some reason, this upsets me. I feel as if a cloud has settled over me, as if something bad is to come. I pull on my fuzzy pink socks to protect my feet from the October chill of North Carolina. Walking down the stairs, I feel the dark cloud start to leave. But…I can’t shake the feeling of puzzlement. I walk into the kitchen and find…boxes? Boxes of all different shapes and sizes litter the wooden floor. Some have even found their way to the dining table. Mom never puts anything but food on the dining table. I feel goosebumps prickle my arms. Cold and sharp, they tingle. No, they would have told us. I push the thought away and hear my sister bounce down the stairs, humming Hamilton’s ‘”Wait for It,” all the way. Where does she find the energy? Eliane is soon by my side, seeing the same things I’m seeing. For a minute her humming ceases. I come out of my stupor that seems to want to pull me in. I almost let it. Eliane, who is never quiet, now whispers, “Selene? What is this? Is this a-a prank?” Her voice cracks on the last word. I suddenly remember that I’m a big sister. I have to pretend to know what’s happening. So, I ignore her question. Gently I say, “Let’s clear the table.” Eliane doesn’t move. I take her hand cold hand in my warm one and together, we begin to clear a path. Some of the boxes are heavy – filled with unknown contents. Others, are light. I leave my sister the light ones and briskly move aside the heavy ones. Soon we are able to walk around freely. Just as I’m about to start breakfast, my mother opens the front door, already dressed, her hair in a neat ponytail. I didn’t even think to look for her. What is wrong with me? She takes in Eliane’s small shocked face and my worried expression. She puts on a smile and with forced cheer says “We have a lot of explaining to do, huh?”

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